118 GEOKGE JOHN EOMANES I881- 



Mr. Darwin which was painted by the Hon. John 

 Colher for the Linnean Society. 



18 Cornwall Terrace, Regent's Park, N.W. : May 25. 



My dear Mr. Darwin, — When at the Linnean this 



afternoon, I was told by Dr. M that he had 



obtained your consent to sit for a portrait for the 

 Society. Now, as it appears to me a great favour to 

 ask of you to sit for yet another portrait, the least we 

 can do, if you consent, is to employ a thoroughly 

 good man to paint it. Therefore, if you have not 

 already entered into any definite agreement, I write 

 to suggest a little delay (say of a month), when, as 

 Secretary, I might ascertain the amount of the sub- 

 scription on which we might rely, and arrange matters 

 accordingly. John Collier (Huxley's son-in-law) told 

 me some time ago that he would dearly like to have 

 you to paint, and I doubt not that he would do it 

 at less than his ordinary charges if necessary. He 

 would be sure to do the work well, and so I write to 

 ascertain whether you would not prefer him, or some 

 other artist of known ability, to do the work, if I 

 were to undertake to provide the needful. 



Please give to Mrs. Darwin, and take to yourself, 

 our best thanks for your kind congratulations on the 

 opportune arrival of another baby — just in time to be 

 worked into the book on Mental Evolution. Every- 

 thing is going well. 



Very sincerely and most respectfully yours, 



Geo. J. EoMANES. 



